If you’re getting started in the world of baking, you’re in for an exciting ride.
Baking is incredibly rewarding.
You can see and taste your progress as you hone your skills.
Getting started, recipes are never a problem.
With the internet, an abundance of cooking shows, and a multitude of cookbooks out there, you can always find something new to try.
However, for many first-time bakers, it’s the huge selection that makes things difficult.
Sometimes it’s difficult to choose what to cook.
What if the recipe is too complex, will the ingredients be expensive, and do you have the right tools and utensils on hand?
It’s best to keep things simple as you get started. Simply knowing what to cook will set you on the right path.
If you’re wondering what I should bake at home and need ideas to get inspired, we’ve got the suggestions for you.
Make Sure You’re Stocked With the Essentials
Before you can start baking, you’ll need to have the essentials.
- Flour – All-purpose flour works in many recipes, from bread to cakes and even cookies.
- Leaveners – Baking powder, baking soda, and yeast are essential in any baker’s kitchen.
- Sugar – Add sweetness and combat acidity with sugar. Standard white sugar is essential. Confectioners sugar, also known as powdered sugar or icing sugar should also be in your pantry.
- Salt – Many recipes, even sweet ones, use salt to add flavor.
- Dairy Products – Unsalted butter, eggs, milk, and cream are used frequently in popular recipes.
- Fat Products – Vegetable oil and shortening are commonly used in cookies and cakes.
- Flavor Extracts and Powders – Vanilla essence is the most common flavoring used in baking. You can create new and interesting recipes by also keeping cinnamon, nutmeg, and extracts like almonds and lemon in your kitchen.
- Extras – Cooking chocolate, chocolate chips, oats, dried or frozen fruit, berries, food coloring, and sprinkles are all essential for new bakers.
Even with some simple ingredients, you’ll be ready to prepare some amazing baked goods at home.
What Should I Bake at Home? Essentials That Every New Baker Should Try
- Chocolate Chip Cookies: Anyone wondering what should I bake at home will consider chocolate chip cookies first. A true classic and an instant hit with people of all ages.
- Muffins: Blueberry muffins are incredibly popular and require just a few ingredients. You don’t have to stop there. Make banana muffins, chocolate chip muffins, or even carrot-flavored muffins with oatmeal.
- Chocolate Cake: As you progress with baking, you’ll learn sponge cakes, fudge cakes, and other specialty cakes. However, nothing will ever take the place of a classic chocolate cake. Grab a recipe and bake this at home today for a treat the whole family will love.
- Banana Bread: This is an easy baked specialty to learn and master. Banana bread can use old bananas that have browned. Keep bananas in your freezer and you’ll be ready to make this simple loaf whenever a craving strikes.
- Cornbread or Muffins: Cornbread is an American staple. Versatile and flavorful, you can enjoy cornbread with traditional meals or on its own.
- Dinner Rolls: These go great with casseroles, stews, and other hearty meals. Or, you can simply serve them hot and spread butter on them for a delicious snack.
- Soft Pretzels: Hard pretzels are fine as snacks, but when you want something truly special, soft pretzels are the way to go. Fresh and chewy, making pretzels is a great way to introduce yourself to the wonderful world of baked bread.
- Peanut Butter and M&M Cookies: These two ingredients get along well, and they are perfect for cookies. With a peanut butter cookie recipe, you can add M&Ms to take the place of chocolate chips.
Should You Try a Baking Cookbook?
Despite being in the age of digital everything, cookbooks are still used in kitchens around the world.
It’s refreshing having recipes and tips in print that you can refer to at any time, without the need for a tablet, smartphone, or PC.
This Beginner’s Baking Bible by Heather Perine has more than 130 recipes as well as effective techniques for new bakers.
Following a recipe is more than just knowing the ingredients and the steps.
This book focuses on fundamentals and shows how they are incorporated into popular recipes.
It’s fresh, innovative, and contains recipes for bread that you won’t find at your local grocer.
You’re ready with fresh baking ideas.
All that’s left to do is gather your ingredients and pick a recipe.
Baking at home will open a whole world of possibilities with fresh food that will bring joy to everyone in the house.
